THE chairman of Bere Regis Swimming Club, who has taught thousands of youngsters to swim, has stepped down after 43 years.

Bob Holman, 74, started the club, nicknamed the Orcas, in the little pool at the village school in the boiling hot summer of 1976 and was immediately overwhelmed with members.

The club moved to Bovington Camp’s pool a few years later and then to Blandford. They currently swim at Purbeck Leisure Centre in Wareham.

Bob has run it week in, week out as a volunteer, organising galas, distance nights, annual awards night barbecues and other special events.

He is currently the South West Amateur Swimming Association president, driving from gala to gala and spending hours poolside cheering kids on.

His daughter, Miranda Robertson, said: “Doubtless Dad will still be poolside most weeks for the Orcas, but as he’s nearly 75 it’s lovely that someone has volunteered to step into the role.

“I think he’s amazing for what he’s done for kids around Bere Regis, turning out week after week, year after year to make sure youngsters have the opportunity to learn to swim, and keeping the costs to members as low as possible.

“The club has always been such an encouraging environment, with children of all abilities enjoying the chance to simply do their best rather than merely go for gala glory. I reckon that’s down to Dad’s leadership.”

Holman’s voluntary efforts in swimming do not stop at the Orcas.

He won the Most Meritorious Swim from the Channel Swimming Association when he ended up swimming 38 miles in force four to five gales when he swam the Channel aged 47.

He raised more than £4,000 for Cancer Research and funded the swim and the training himself.

Holman later raised more than £5,000 for that charity attempting to swim Loch Lomond.

He also swam a mile in every lido in Britain, again funding this himself, raising thousands of pounds for the British Heart Foundation.